Third Grade (Ages 8-9)

Literacy goals

Your child is now reading longer books of various types on their own for various purposes including enjoyment. Reading should be a rewarding experience for your child. Your child chooses as an activity and reads independently. Reading should include various types of books such as:

  • Fiction - includes historical, fantasy etc.
  • Non-fiction - includes science, autobiographies, and reference, informational.

Be able to discuss the author's purpose or underlying message of the text. Make connections between different stories (text-to-text), text-to-self, and make connections with text-to-world.
Attempting different types and purposes for writing.

Tips, Activities and Strategies

Help your child maintain good reading habits

    • Motivate
    • Praise
    • Provide books as gifts and rewards.
    • REREAD BOOKS!

The greatest pleasures of reading consist in re-reading.
- Vernon Lee

  • Help your child take responsibility for his or her own learning.
  • Create a place of learning in your home where your child can read and work without any distractions.
  • Provide books and reference materials such as, dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia and basic school supplies he may need.
  • Limit the time the television can remain on each day.
  • Help your child become responsible for managing her time so that she doesn't become overwhelmed.
  • Fill your home with reading materials such as, magazines, newspapers, and books.
  • Model reading behaviors.
  • Discuss literature and authors.


What to look for when choosing books for your child

  • Challenging books
  • Accurate and current information
  • Books that have been recognized for quality such as receiving the Newberry Award, etc.
  • Attractive visuals including graphic organizers, maps, lists, illustrations, and photographs.

Recommended Reading for Third Grade (Ages 8-9)

  1. Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges
  2. Space Dog to the Rescue by Vivian French
  3. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf by Jon Scieszka
  4. Horrible Harry Series by Susan Kline
  5. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
  6. Great Illustrated Classics Series Books